Aptos rallies to finals

Aptos High’s Elijah Marta runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the early moments of the second quarter Friday night at Monterey Peninsula College. (Glenn Cravens/Register-Pajaronian)

MONTEREY — Aptos High’s football season is not over yet thanks to a second-half rally, a few defensive stops and a missed field goal in the final seconds of the Central Coast Section Division III semifinal.

The Mariners’ 34-31 win on Friday night against Monterey at Monterey Peninsula College left players overwhelmed with so many emotions. Some players yelled. Some cried tears of joy. Many jumped up and down, punching the air in exultation.

Nine teams have played since the 2003 squad that won it all. Three were unable to reach the playoffs. Five others got to the playoffs but were one and done.

This team is still ticking, and now they’ll have a chance to match that 2003 team when it plays in the CCS Division III championship on Saturday at a time and place to be determined.

The Mariners will face either Valley Christian or Sobrato of Morgan Hill; those two teams play at 7 p.m. tonight at Live Oak High in Morgan Hill.

“To get to the show, you have to work hard,” Aptos coach Randy Blankenship said. “These kids worked hard, and now, they’ll get to experience it.”